Paper shredder

Abstract

An apparatus for paper shredding and compacting which includes a shredded paper storage portion, a movable ram disposed within the shredded paper storage portion, and a movable push rod.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method to compact shredded paper, comprising:
 providing a paper shredder comprising shredding teeth, a housing, a shredded paper storage portion comprising a door, a movable ram having an exterior surface disposed within said shredded paper storage portion, a movable push rod attached to said movable ram, and a heated metal platen disposed on said exterior surface, said heated metal platen comprising a hot oil heater; 
 disposing an adhesive onto paper as the paper passes through said shredding teeth, and 
 compacting shredded paper by moving said moveable ram from a first side of the housing to a position between said first side of the housing and an opposing second side of the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 shredding said paper to form shredded paper parts; 
 compacting said shredded paper parts within said shredded paper storage portion from a first volume to a second volume to from said compacted shredded paper, wherein the second volume is three times smaller than the first volume. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said moveable ram comprises a tubular member defining an interior lumen; 
 said moveable ram further comprises one or more spray nozzles disposed on a said exterior surface; 
 each of said one or more spray nozzles is in fluid communication with said interior lumen; 
 said interior lumen is in fluid communication with a source of said adhesive; and 
 said method further comprising spraying said adhesive onto said compacted shredded paper parts. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive; and 
 said adhesive cure to form an elastomer. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising selecting said elastomer from the group consisting of acrylics, bio-bases acrylate, butyl rubber, ethylene-vinylacetate with high vinyl acetate content, natural rubber, nitriles, silicone rubbers, styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene ethylene/propylene, and styrene isoprene styrene. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive cures to form a polymeric material, and further comprising selecting said polymeric material from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethanes, styrene block copolymers, polycaprolactone with soy protein, polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, silicone rubbers, and polypyrrole. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said movable push rod is actuated manually. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said movable push rod is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder.